Cleveland Browns' Jordan Norwood Catching On

By Ryan Ruiz

Jim O’ Connor-US Presswire

Despite a wretched 0-5 start to the season, there are a few good signs worth talking about. A third year receiver from Penn State is definitely one of them.

In a depleted Cleveland Browns receiving corps due to injuries, Jordan Norwood has stepped in and done a nice job. Against the New York Giants Sunday in a hostile New York environment, Norwood caught a career high nine passes for 81 yards. A week earlier against the Baltimore Ravens, the 5′-11″ slot receiver caught four balls for 56 yards. The three other weeks, he was deemed inactive.

The thing I like about Norwood is that he is not afraid to go over the middle and take a lick. What’s more impressive is that he is willing to get “dirty” for a ball. In his 13 catches in two games, Norwood is often seen diving or going low for the football. The 26-year-old hauls in passes with his hands as opposed to his body and often moves the chains. Three times on Sunday, Brandon Weeden targeted Norwood on third down and all three times, Norwood made a play. At this point in the season, you could arguably say that Norwood has the best hands on the team.

Bouncing back and forth between the Browns and Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, Norwood finally landed a home on the Cleveland active roster in 2010. As mostly a third string back up receiver, the former Nittany Lion caught 23 balls for 268 yards and a touchdown last season.

In New England, Tom Brady has Wes Welker as a safety valve. For years, Cleveland has longed for a guy like that. It’s been a while since the Browns had a go to receiver that could help continue drives. In times of trying to find anything positive about the 2012 Browns season, maybe Jordan Norwood is the answer.